Sunday, November 30, 2014

Summary:
Brown Bear’s wonderful secret is that she’s going to have a baby, but this is
not revealed until the end of the book. As she begins to tell her animal
friends about her secret, they interrupt her with guesses about the secret’s
characteristics. The conversation takes riddle form: She wouldn’t want to eat
it, but she might lick it. It doesn’t fly, but she might throw it up in the air
and catch it. The animal friends are not able to solve the puzzle before Brown
Bear must hibernate. The wonderful secret is revealed to them when spring
comes and she has a babe in her arms. Brown Bear's friends agree, it certainly was a most wonderful secret!

Hanna’s Comments: I chose this book for the first day of Advent, a Christian liturgical
season that gets overwhelmed by the pre-Christmas madness. Advent, like this story, encapsulates the anticipation and joy of waiting on a new birth. Like Brown Bear, I
hope you are able to anticipate and fully experience the joys of your winter
holidays and any new births coming your way. Anticipating the birth of a new member is a delightful aspect of being a part of a loving faith family. This kind of joyful expectation and hopeful longing are two of the central themes of the liturgical season of Advent in the Christian church.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Summary:
This is a beautiful picture book about the tradition of basket-making in the
highlands of upstate New York. It is from the point of view of a young son who
longs to walk into Hudson, the closest town, with his father to sell baskets
and purchase supplies. This happens every full moon, a “basket moon” so they
call it. Meanwhile, the son watches the craft of basket-making that is
particular to this part of the world. Eventually he is allowed to go into town
with his father, each carrying a long pole across their back full of hanging
baskets of all sizes. The son is captivated by the sights and sounds of Hudson,
but he overhears a group of adult men, taunting his father, calling him a “bushwhacker”.
Once home, he becomes ashamed of his father’s work until a basket-maker friend
helps him understand the privilege and artistry in basket-making. He begins to practice
the skills and eventually acknowledges that the trees surrounding his home are
making the material for baskets he will one day create.

Hanna’s Comments: Skilled handwork of all kinds is becoming a rare commodity in
modernity. This is a great loss of beauty and heritage for all of us. The
Author’s Note explains that the last living basket-maker of Taconic/Taghkanic (Bushwhacker)
baskets died in 1996. These baskets are now found in museums and prized in the
homes of collectors. Our faith communities are one place where we can explore
and share our God-given gifts and artistic endeavors, knowing that tapping into
our own creativity is a fine and meaningful way to give tribute to our Creator
God.

Scripture Connections: So God created humankind in God’s own image
(Genesis 1:27); God has filled them with the Spirit of God, with skill, with
intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic
designs (Exodus 35:31-32); Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30); every
good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17); as each has received a gift,
use it to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of adults who are
engaged in spiritually-based artistic endeavors, such as an Artist Way group (seeThe Artist Way by Julia Cameron), a
knitting ministry, or a group of carpenters who design and make ramps for elderly
or handicapped individuals.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Picture Book: Nelson MandelaAuthor & Illustrator: Kadir NelsonSummary:
From his beginnings as a young son of an African chief through his leadership in the anti-Apartheid movement and 27 years of imprisonment, to his inauguration as
the first African president of South Africa, most of Nelson Mandela’s life is
beautifully captured here. President Mandela died in December of 2013 so this book was published early in the year of his death.Hanna’s Comments: There is another picture book biography of Mandela that I
recommend except that its text is quite long. Mandela: From the Life of the South African Statesman by Floyd
Cooper, published in 1996 by Philomel. If you are doing an in-depth study of
Mandela over several days, I recommend using both of these books and perhaps
comparing and contrasting them. Neither book covers Mandela’s last few years and
the world’s response to his death, particularly his retirement years spent as a
world leader and symbol of reconciliation. You may want to supplement your
lesson with internet material to give appropriate closure to the life of this global
icon and inspirational hero of faith-based social justice and reconciliation. Original Publisher & Date: Katherine Tegen Books, 2013Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up# of Pages:
40Available in Spanish? YesFormats other than Book: Tablet, video, audio downloadPBT Category:
Fresh off the Press, BiographyPBT Topics this Book Connects with: abuse/abuse of power, action, Africa,
ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, anger, aspirations/dreams,
bravery/courage, brokenness, bullying/martyrs/persecution/oppression,
call/calling/vocation, challenges, change, chosen, civil rights, commitment,
conflict, consequences/punishment, cruelty, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition,
equality/inequality, ethics, evil, exile/separation/walls,
forgiveness/mercy/redemption, freedom, golden rule, hatred, heroes, hope,
injustice, intolerance, justice, leadership/servant leadership, mission,
non-violence/peaceful resistance, passion, patience, perseverance, prejudice,
prisons/prisoners, purpose, race relations/racism, rebellion, segregation,
social justice, steadfastness, transformation, victims, vision, waiting, wisdomScripture Connections: Stories of Moses leading his people out of
slavery in ExodusIdea(s) for Application: If you are a homeschool/private school teacher,
consider doing a study on the life of Nelson Mandela, while comparing and
contrasting his life and work to Moses, and talking about how faith grounded each figure.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Summary:
The central part of this book is a portion of a speech Chief Seattle gave in
the mid-1850s while sitting at a table with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
who wanted to purchase the last of Chief Seattle’s native lands for the U.S.
government. At the heart of his message is a reverence for the natural world, a
hope that this world will be preserved, and a warning that waste of these
resources and desecration of that which is beautiful will lead to the end of
life.

Hanna’s Comments: In Jeffers introduction, she gives a brief history of Chief
Seattle’s ancient people and describes Chief Seattle as being one of the
bravest and most respected chiefs of the Northwest Nations. In her Endnote, Jeffers
explains that this speech, was given in Chief Seattle’s native tongue. It was
transcribed by a friend of the chief’s but translated numerous times. Jeffers
too has adapted Chief Seattle’s words for this book. She says here that Chief
Seattle’s words now haunt us. Our present environmental concerns, which have
become more pressing and complicated since this book’s publication, as well as
Jeffers’ striking illustrations here only add to that haunting.

Scripture Connections: For the Lord God does nothing without revealing
his secret to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7); long ago, at many times in
many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1)

Idea(s) for Application: The idea of prophets and prophesies is somewhat
foreign to many of us. Chief Seattle and his words here seem like good examples
of these concepts, especially when you consider how Chief Seattle’s passions
and warnings, like those of the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures, were largely
ignored. Instead, they were remembered after the painful prophesies came true.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Summary:
At his birth, Eli begins cherishing his family’s farm as soon as his
grandmother wraps him in a blanket made of the wool from their sheep and holds
him up to the window to feel the wind and see all the places to love. Eli tells
of each family member’s favorite place on the farm and why. While his baby
sister, Sylvie, is born, Eli waits in the barn with his grandfather for the
news and then carves her name into a rafter where all their names have been
carved at birth. Eli looks forward to showing Sylvie all the places to love as
his loving family has shown him.

Hanna’s Comments: This is a beautiful book about the power of place and how
loving experiences in these places will ground and connect you. It celebrates the natural world and intergenerational family bonds. The affection
Eli has for his family home reminds me of the love and longing that so many Jews of old had (and modern Jews have) for their homeland, especially for the city of Jerusalem and their Temple.

Idea(s) for
Application: This
would be a wonderful book to read to children during a homecoming or anniversary
of your faith community. After the reading, you could connect the family events
and favorite places mentioned in the book to particular important events and
special places in your religious home. Encouraging young people to think of
their faith community as another kind of family and home is always a good idea.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Summary:
From the point of view of a young boy, this rhyming verse of gratitude is a
celebration of an extended family’s gathering and feasting in the fall. The smells,
tastes, hugs, and laughter are palpable. It begins, “It is good to give thanks
to the Lord!” This sentence, from Psalm 92:1, is repeated a few times, most
heartwarmingly in the middle of the book as the family, hands held around their
bounteous table, prays. When day is done and goodbyes are said, the child is
carried upstairs to bed for prayers and a kiss. It ends with, “And it’s good,
so good to give thanks to the Lord.”

Hanna’s Comments: One the dedication page, you’ll find that the author wrote
this book to celebrate Psalm 92. Reading with American eyes, this seems like a family’s
Thanksgiving gathering. Traditional American Thanksgiving foods are prepared
and spread, but it is not directly stated. Therefore, this book could be read anywhere
and at any time, though you may want to limit its use to the autumn since the
autumn imagery is so obvious.

Scripture Connections: It is good to give thanks to the Lord… how great
are Your works, O Lord! (Psalm 92:1 & 5)

Idea(s) for Application: Besides the obvious subject of gratitude, consider
using this book to teach the concept of ritual as you explore this family’s
rituals and consider their possible significance. Then expand to a conversation
about rituals in your family of faith, whether they are rituals for worship or
fellowship. Tie all of these to God’s will for us to have rituals of
remembrance which are outlined in scripture such as Sabbath and Holy Communion.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Summary:
An Alaskan mother and her son venture into the tundra to see new otter pups. A
pup falls into the water and can’t swim yet so the human mother saves the pup
with little thought of payback or thanks. A chain reaction of rescues across
multiple arctic animal species circles around to end with an arctic fox
signaling to the human mother of her hurt son’s whereabouts in the snow.

Hanna’s Comments: This story has some wonderful seasonal arctic imagery. Also,
I love a circle story! Here you have very human-like animals which may bother
some of you, but young children will love it. Despite the anthropomorphism,
here is a powerful story of being rewarded for tender loving kindness.

Scripture Connections: Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18);
whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them (Matthew 7:12);
live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book in a lesson with children on how
goodness grows, how loving kindness furthers kindness, or how to treat your
neighbors. You may want to talk specifically about how protecting certain
species of animals encourages biodiversity which leads to a richer and more
stable environment for all of us.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Summary:
For the privilege of waking up each morning with the warmth of the sun to the
blessings of the night, this beautiful picture book celebrates so many of the
big things that God gives us that make life precious and joyful. A diverse
group of characters celebrate the wonder of creation and relationship and their
gratitude for God’s great generosity.

Hanna’s Comments: This beautiful picture book offers yet another opportunity
for you to engage with your audience, whether they are family of birth, choice,
or faith, in some direct thanksgiving to God. Gratitude, if taken seriously as
a spiritual practice, can transform any community into more loving, satisfied
people. This is the week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA so I've recently offered and will continue to feature many books about gratitude here on PBT.

Scripture Connections: This is the
day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24); Give
thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever
(Psalm 136:1); whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him (Colossians 3:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this to an intergenerational group at your religious community’s
family retreat. Consider having each family create their own thanksgiving picture
book.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Summary:This book is comprised of
a series of bilingual thanksgiving sentences from a young boy. The sources of his gratitude range from the warmth
of the sun to the color of a ladybug, from money given him by his Abuelita (grandmother) to
his uncle’s guitar music, from warm chocolate syrup on ice cream to his old
pajamas.

Hanna’s Comments: Bilingual texts like this one are scarce, but they are
becoming more available as publisher realize the growing need. Don’t limit use of this book to just
those contexts where Spanish speakers are present. Present both languages as
you read, which will divulge both the beauty of languages and your gratitude for
diversity. If you don’t speak Spanish, find a volunteer to read those sentences
for you as you present this book to a group of children in your religious
community. Encourage your children in their first language, to add to this
listing of thanksgivings. Fortunately, gratitude and God’s gifts of
language have no boundaries!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Lee & Low Books, 2009

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages:
32

Available in Spanish? This is a bilingual picture book with both Spanish
and English sentences on each double page spread.

Idea(s) for Application: Consider teaching your children many translations
of “thanks” after you read this text and then celebrating God’s gift of
language diversity, goodness, providence, and generosity.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Summary:
Little Tricia loved books and couldn’t wait to learn to read. It didn’t happen
in kindergarten though she did get to show off her
drawing skills. In first grade Tricia couldn’t get beyond the first
basic reader so she began to feel dumb. After her beloved grandparents died,
school seemed even harder. Reading numbers was hard too. By third grade she was
getting teased and called dumb, and by 5th grade she hated school. A classmate,
Eric, began to bully her. During recess, Tricia would hide under the
stairwell. Her new 5th grade teacher, Mr. Falker, explained that she
didn’t see numbers and letters the way others do, but he was determined to
teach her to read. After school everyday, she met again with Mr. Falker and a
reading specialist who had her doing reading and writing exercises. After many
months, she was able to read sentences. Thirty years later, an adult Patricia
Polacca met Mr. Falker again and introduced herself. He asked what she did for
a living. She was pleased to tell him with much gratitude that she makes books
for children.

Hanna’s Comments: This story begins and ends with a family ritual involving
pouring honey on a book and declaring that “knowledge is as sweet as honey, but
it has to be chased through the pages of a book.” This autobiographical picture
book, PBT’s 3rd in a Terrific Trio, again tells the story of one of
Polacca’s teacher heroes. This one may have made the most influential
difference in her life by protecting her from bullies and teaching her to read. Polacca seems to have had dyslexia or some other type of learning disability. This is a surprisingly common problem among school children that deserves supportive conversation in religious communities where too often differences are viewed as shameful or simply ignored.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Summary:
After spending the summer with her artist grandmother, Patricia wants to be an
artist. Back at school she enjoys her new teacher, Mr. Donovan, an immigrant
from Ireland who loves to tell family stories. However, Patricia faces two
struggles: there is very little opportunity for art at school and she is having
trouble taking tests because she reads very slowly. Mr. Donovan gives her more
time on tests which helps a great deal. After discovering her art, he refers
her to the high school art teacher, Miss Chew, who has classes for younger
students. Patricia is thrilled with Miss Chew’s instruction and asks to draw Mr.
Donovan’s father, whose photograph is on his desk. A few weeks later, Mr.
Donovan learns that his father in Ireland has died. He leaves for the funeral,
and the substitute teacher doesn’t continue to give Patricia extra time on
tests and insists the art lessons be discontinued. When Patricia tells Miss
Chew about her slow reading, Miss Chew refers Patricia to a reading specialist
who says that Patricia sees patterns rather than letters. When Mr. Donovan
returns from Ireland, all is set right again. Meanwhile, Patricia’s first painting
is of Mr. Donovan’s father; it is chosen for the high school art show. Mr. Donovan
is brought to tears when he sees it. A defining moment occurs for Patricia as both
teachers praise her talent, and she is even more determined to become an
artist.

Hanna’s Comments: Be sure to read the blurb in the back where Polacca explains
more about the influence of Miss Chew and her sadness that art is underfunded
in schools. This is the 2nd book in a PBT Terrific Trio by Polacco
where she again tells the story of teachers’ life-changing influences on her.

Idea(s) for
Application: What
strikes me about this book is the way in which Polacca’s two teachers honored
her uniqueness, whereas the substitute teacher did not. Read this story to
children or youth and engage them in conversation about diversity in skills and
people. Help them consider whether they tend to honor and encourage these or
whether they criticize when someone is unique.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Summary:
This is the true story of the author’s entrance into a drama class in school
because of her paralyzing fear of speaking in front of her classes. Patricia
loved to read and write, but she couldn’t orally share her wonderful writing.
Mr. Wayne, the drama teacher, cleverly gave Patricia a backstage role so that she
could use her art skills to paint backdrops. As Patricia painted, she heard the
rehearsals and learned all the lines so Mr. Wayne asked her to be the prompter.
When a key actor dropped out, Patricia was convinced to take the role. More
importantly, Mr. Wayne understood her fears and worked with her to overcome
them and build skills and confidence. Patricia learned to "let the play take her".
As she spoke her first few lines the night of the public performance, the audience
disappeared in her mind and she became the role. Afterwards, Mr. Wayne told
Patricia, “Tonight, you’re my masterpiece.”

Hanna’s Comments: This book begins a PBT Terrific Trio in which this author and
illustrator offers 3 tributes to specific teachers who made a fundamental difference in
her life and helped her discover her gifts and her vocation. Consider
these 3 books encouragement for you to consider who has inspired and helped you
in your journey of discovery and exploration of your gifts. Be grateful and
tell them so if you are able.

Scripture Connections: Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30);every good and perfect gift is from above (James
1:17); as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this book with a confirmation class
and talk to your children about discovering their gifts and using loving adults
as resources and encouragers. Also, emphasize the importance of gratitude in
these situations, gratitude to God for the gifts and gratitude to the loving
adults for their support and encouragement.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Summary:
Bear is feeling bored and missing his friends. He decides to have a feast, but
his cupboard is bare. Coincidentally, mouse comes by and brings him a
huckleberry pie. Bear says, “Thanks!” A series of animal friends come next,
each bringing foods to share. Eventually Bear says, “Wait!” and confesses that
his cupboards are bare. His guests reassure him that there is plenty of food to
share and besides, Bear can share his stories. As they settle in for a good
time and good food, all the animals say, “Thanks!”

Hanna’s Comments: This rhymed and delightful text of sharing and feasting will motivate
you to invite folks over for a meal and stories. Hospitality is a spiritual
practice that is often found in the scriptures. As the fall and winter holidays
draw near, be sure to be thankful to those who invite you into their homes and
consider doing the same.

Scripture Connections: Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for
you (Exodus 16:4); contribute to the needs of the saints and show hospitality
(Romans 12:13); show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson with members of your
family of faith on God giving manna, hospitality, or the importance of
gathering around food and stories. Connect this idea with the many times God
demonstrates and encourages hospitality in the Holy Scriptures.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Summary:
This book tells of a wondrous secret. It’s the secret of being attentive and
grateful for the bounty that is ours to discover, particularly in nature. You
can discover it at dawn when you notice the beauty of the morning. Discover
this delightful secret while enjoying the shade under an old tree. This author
goes on to suggest other ways and places to discover the secret of saying
thanks such as when holding a hand or saying a prayer for “the heart that gives
thanks is a happy one.”

Hanna’s Comments: I love this author’s books! He demonstrates such sensitivity
to the beauty and awe of nature. His encouragement to be more contemplative and
grateful is welcome instruction for children and especially adults who are busy
and stressed in ways that too often lead to them starving for the natural world
or worse, having a sense of entitlement, oblivion, and ingratitude.

Scripture Connections: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good
(Psalm 107:1); every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book to a group of children, youth, or
adults before taking a hike or prayer walk together.You
might even march around your place of worship, giving thanks for the bounty
that is yours.

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PBT is a joyful labor of love, requiring a huge investment of my time, energy, and money. If you have enjoyed or benefited from the PBT website, please consider saying thanks via a donation. I like knowing that my work is appreciated. Hanna